Alicia C. Aguon, left, dean of the School of Education at the University of Guam with a doctorate in mathematics education, and Michelle M.S. Santos, chair of the school’s Teacher Education and Public Service division with a doctorate in education, hold the university’s “Big G” outside the school following news on Jan. 14 that the school’s programs have been granted seven years of accreditation by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation.

The University of Guam's School of Education has been granted seven years of accreditation by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation. Its faculty and staff include (first row, from left) Assistant Professor Catherine Cardenas; Associate Professor Dean Olah; Joann Diego, program coordinator III; Assistant Professor Jackysha Green; Carim Yanoria, administrative officer; Assistant Professor Genevieve Garrett; Jessica Urbano, administrative assistant; (second row) Instructor Joseph Franquez; Gerwin Pineda, IT support technician; Dean and Associate Professor Alicia Aguon; Assistant Professor Matthew Limtiaco; Associate Professor Kathrine Gutierrez; Assistant Professor Leilani Guerrero; Assistant Professor ShinHwa Lee; (third row) Professor Yukiko Inoue-Smith; Professor Catherine Stoicovy; Associate Professor Cheryl Sangueza; Professor Mary Jane Miller; Associate Professor Michelle Santos; Assistant Professor Geraldine James; and Pascual Olivares, program coordinator I. (Not shown: Professor Lourdes Ferrer)

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“We are passionate about advancing education in this region, and we’re so proud of the teachers that we produce,” said Alicia C. Aguon, dean of the UOG School of Education. “This accreditation confirms the expertise and dedication of our faculty and also the desire of our community partners to guide our students to future success.”

The accreditation will remain in effect through Dec. 31, 2027.

National accreditation assures the quality and accountability of an institution’s programs via a nongovernmental, nonregulatory process of self-study and peer review. The process is standards- and evidence-based.

“What this means is that our education degree programs provide students with a learning experience that is nationally recognized and that our programs’ cultural competency uniquely prepares them to teach children in our island’s schools,” said UOG Senior Vice President and Provost Anita Borja Enriquez.

The accreditation commission stated that graduates of UOG’s education programs “are prepared to work effectively as professional educators and […] are able to adapt to different contexts and to grow professionally.”

The commissioners also noted UOG’s robust support for cultural heritage and investment of considerable resources in partnership and collaboration with other institutions to support educator growth. This, in part, references a 12-year partnership between the School of Education and the College of Micronesia in the Federated States of Micronesia and with the Yap, Chuuk, and Kosrae Departments of Education. 

“This accreditation recognizes the School of Education’s efforts to bring cultural wisdom and diversity to the field of education and to create partnerships to improve life in our island communities,” said UOG President Thomas W. Krise. “These are two goals that we have university-wide and will continue to make progress toward under our Para Hulo’ Strategic Plan.”

The president and CEO of the AAQEP, Mark LaCelle-Peterson, congratulated the university, its faculty and staff, and all stakeholders. 

“The programs made a clear case for quality and documented their deep commitment to culturally responsive practice supported by close relationships with schools and stakeholders throughout the region,” he said.

Serving on the accreditation team from the UOG School of Education were Associate Professors Michelle Santos and Dean Olah, Assistant Professors Jackysha Green and Geraldine James, and Program Coordinator Pascual Olivares.

AAQEP has 135 educator preparation providers participating in its accreditation system across 24 states and territories.

About AAQEP

Founded in 2017, AAQEP is a membership association and quality assurance agency that provides accreditation services and formative support to all types of educator preparation providers. The organization promotes excellent, effective, and innovative educator preparation that is committed to evidence-based improvement in a collaborative professional environment. Visit aaqep.org for more information.